The 2017 legislative session included several major pieces of legislation, but one bill didn’t quite make it to the governor’s desk that one lawmaker is hopeful will next year.

Republican Representative Chip Baltimore of Boone says his water quality bill made it through the House and the Senate passed a similar version, but the bill couldn’t get a finalized agreement. The house bill passed with a 79 to 19 vote, while the Senate version also passed with a 31-19 vote. Baltimore isn’t discouraged by the fact that his bill didn’t get passed onto the governor to be signed into law, but rather, he thinks it is a momentum builder.

“I think it sends a signal that republicans and democrats can work together and rural and urban Iowans can work together on water quality because it is such an important issue to all of us. And I think also it sends a signal that the structure we had in the House bill was the right structure.”

He adds that he even has Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds’ backing on the bill.

“She has indicated her willingness to work with us once she becomes governor and we move forward next session. I’m very optimistic that we’re going to be able to hammer out the differences between the House and the Senate and move forward with a water quality bill that’s going to set the stage for generations to come.”

Baltimore is happy with the progress the bill made this session.